The appeal appeared on the website of the municipal government (original spelling):

Dear Residents!

With another heating season under way, I appeal to you and ask you not to burn waste in household stoves, fireplaces or bonfires.

Smoke from burning waste is not only bothersome because of its unpleasant smell, but above all highly toxic. Burning waste in household stoves takes place at too low a temperature and causes the emission of pollutants such as dust containing heavy metals, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, as well as carcinogenic dioxins and furans.

All the dangerous compounds produced by burning waste accumulate near the chimney from which they escaped; they are inhaled by the people burning the waste, their family members and nearby residents. They penetrate the soil and water—and from there, for example, home gardens—and enter homes through every crack.

The negative impact on health may become apparent only after several decades, most often in the form of cancer. The accumulation of wet soot in chimney flues may cause them to catch fire and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

I remind you that it is absolutely forbidden to burn the following in household stoves: plastic waste, rubber waste, wooden elements coated with varnish, containers that held paints, chemicals or plant-protection products, polystyrene, and bleached paper containing chlorine compounds with colored-ink printing.

Cases of waste burning should be reported to the Police, tel. 757316295; the Municipal Police, tel. 757316419; or the Municipal Office in Nowogrodziec, tel. 757380660.

I appeal for responsibility and common sense.

Let us take care of the environment, our health and the health of our children.

I remind you that, pursuant to Articles 155 and 191 of the Act of 14 December 2012 on waste (Journal of Laws of 2013, item 21, as amended), Article 191 states: “Anyone who, contrary to Article 155, thermally processes waste outside a waste incineration plant or co-incineration plant is subject to arrest or a fine.”

The fine for violating this ban may be as high as PLN 5,000.00.

Robert Relich, Mayor of Nowogrodziec

What do you think?